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Data Science Graduate Research Assistant

Posting Details

Posting Details

Position Number: 12162011
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Functional Title: Data Science Graduate Research Assistant
Category Status: 04-Graduate Assistant
Applicant Search Category: Graduate Assistant
University Authorized FTE:
Unit: CMNS-National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center
Hiring Range Minimum:
Hiring Range Maximum:
Campus/College Information:

Founded in 1856, University of Maryland, College Park is the state’s flagship institution. Our 1,250-acre College Park campus is just minutes away from Washington, D.C., and the nexus of the nation’s legislative, executive, and judicial centers of power. This unique proximity to business and technology leaders, federal departments and agencies, and a myriad of research entities, embassies, think tanks, cultural centers, and non-profit organizations is simply unparalleled. Synergistic opportunities for our faculty and students abound and are virtually limitless in the nation’s capital and surrounding areas. The University is committed to attracting and retaining outstanding and diverse faculty and staff that will enhance our stature of preeminence in our three missions of teaching, scholarship, and full engagement in our community, the state of Maryland, and in the world.

Background Checks

Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information reported by the background check will not automatically disqualify you from employment.

Vaccine Protocol

The University of Maryland has made the safety of our students, faculty and staff, and our surrounding communities a top priority. As part of that commitment, the University requires that students, faculty, and staff on the UMD campus be vaccinated against COVID-19. As a prospective and/or a new employee at UMD, you will be required to comply with the University’s vaccination protocol. Proof of full vaccination will be required before the start of employment in order to work at any University of Maryland location. Prospective or new employees may seek a medical or religious exemption to the vaccination requirement at return.umd.edu and must have an approved exemption prior to the start of their employment. Failure to provide proof of vaccination or to obtain approval for a medical or religious exemption will result in the offer of employment being rescinded.

Position Summary/Purpose of Position:

The National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC) is seeking a graduate research assistant (GRA) for the Spring 2021 semester. The GRA will assist SESYNC’s cyberinfrastructure team with data science tasks, primarily involving supporting external working groups and postdoctoral researchers. All tasks can be done remotely. A minimum of one semester commitment is expected, with the possibility of extension based on available funding. The position will require about 20 hours per week.

This person will work with the SESYNC data science team to assist SESYNC research groups with data processing, analysis, and visualization, especially geospatial data. This may involve discussing issues with researchers, debugging their scripts, or writing snippets of example code to get them started on a particular task. Other tasks may include assisting in managing virtual meeting logistics for SESYNC research teams and communicating with teams about data management. Remote participation in weekly cyberinfrastructure team meetings will be expected, with additional meetings as needed to accomplish tasks.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Experience using R and/or Python
• General familiarity with geospatial analysis concepts

Preferences:

• Experience actually conducting geospatial analysis in R and/or Python
• Background in a natural/social/earth science discipline
• Familiarity with using statistical and visualization packages in R and/or Python
• Familiarity with using remotely sensed data

Additional Certifications:
Additional Information:

Applicants must be current graduate students at the University of Maryland, College Park.

To apply please submit:
• A cover letter that includes your name, current program year, expected graduate date, advisor name, and department and that details your interest in the position and why you are a good candidate for this position.
• Your CV

Posting Date: 12/18/2020
Closing Date:
Open Until Filled Yes
Best Consideration Date 01/15/2021
Physical Demands
Diversity Statement:
The University of Maryland, College Park, an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, complies with all applicable federal and state laws and regulations regarding nondiscrimination and affirmative action; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. The University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, creed, marital status, political affiliation, personal appearance, or on the basis of rights secured by the First Amendment, in all aspects of employment, educational programs and activities, and admissions.

Women, minorities, LGBTQ+, veterans, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
^Student Posting Contact Information:

Applicant Documents

Required Documents
  1. Cover Letter
  2. Curriculum Vitae
  3. List of References (no emails sent from system)
Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you hear about this position?
    • UMD Job Site
    • Personal Referral
    • Washington Post
    • Baltimore Sun
    • Local Publication
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • Inside Higher Education
    • INDEED
    • HERC
    • Hispanic Outlook
    • Diverse Jobs
    • HigherEdJobs
    • Professional Journal
    • Listserv
    • Other
    • SimplyHired
    • CareerBliss
    • Job Fairs
    • Monster.Com
    • Craigslist
    • UMD Job Fair
    • CareerBuilder
    • LinkedIn
  2. * This position is only open to University of Maryland, College Park graduate students. Are you a University of Maryland, College Park graduate student?
    • Yes
    • No